Chiltern Loco-Hauled Services

From the start of the winter timetable, 13th December 2010, Chiltern Railways commenced a few services operated by Loco Hauled Coaching Stock (LHCS), though prior to this were several trains that stood in for unavailable 168 units or ran for timing trials, also test trains for clearances etc. Initially, one train was provided by Wrexham & Shropshire as part of its normal diagram, and the other train was operated by Chiltern with a rather scratch set of stock. Since the demise of WSMR, more stock and locos have become available and the set from Birmingham strengthened to five coaches. It seems more LHCS services will be introduced from the new timetable starting in May 2011, and associated training runs have been taking place between Bicester, Banbury, Birmingham Moor Street and Stourbridge.

Full house at Princes Risborough! On the left is 165 032 which had arrived from Marylebone with the 11:13 train which terminates at Risborough at 12:07, in platform 2. It then forms the 12:12 return to Marylebone. In the centre of the picture is 66017 which had arrived a couple of minutes earlier at the head of 3J04, the 11:00 RHTT train from Marylebone with 66001 on the other end of the train. This also terminates at Princes Risborough before returning to Marylebone. On the right is 67012 "A Shropshire Lad" passing through at full linespeed (85mph) with the southbound 1H32, 10:55 from Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone. 12:09, Thursday 6th October 2011. Digital Image No. GMPI10360.